MAPUSA
Raising concerns over the rising number of furniture fairs and exhibitions in the town, the All Goa Furniture Manufacturers & Traders Association has asked the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to regulate such events, saying they are causing losses to local businesses.
In a letter to the Chief Officer of MMC, Association President Paresh Atmaram Raikar said the issue has remained unresolved despite a similar representation made in 2018.
Raikar said local furniture businesses invest heavily in premises, staff and legal requirements, and are already under financial pressure, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. The frequent fairs, he said, have made the situation worse.
He alleged that these fairs are often given large public spaces at low charges, allowing temporary vendors to operate without following the same rules as permanent shops. “Many vendors are not authorised dealers, do not issue GST invoices, and are not accountable for the quality or source of goods,” Raikar said, adding that this creates unfair competition as they sell at lower prices.
The association also objected to furniture stalls at traditional events like the Milagres Feast, saying this goes against the purpose of such celebrations.
It suggested limiting stalls to one entity per allotment, with a size of 20 to 30 square metres, and restricting feast fairs to five days. It also said fairs should focus on unique or locally unavailable items.
Raikar claimed these exhibitions generate over Rs 300 crore in business, with a large part not taxed, leading to an estimated loss of Rs 55 crore to the government.
The association has asked the MMC to enforce stricter rules, ensure tax compliance, and limit furniture fairs to protect local businesses.
